UK Athletics Photo
One thing that Kentucky coach Mark Stoops has liked about his team’s spring practices so far has been the team’s energy.
“I like their focus, the way that we’re working. I feel like we’re getting better across the board. Off the field, the guys are working really hard to be united and spend time with each other and get to know each other. On the field, it’s been great competition,” Stoops said. “It’s been fun. It feels good to get out there and work on some of the areas where we fell short a year ago.”
Now here is one oddity. Stoops has praised both his defensive line and offensive line. Normally in spring practice, a coach would be happy with the offensive line or defensive line if they are competing against each other but not both of them.
“If I give a shoutout to anyone, it would probably be the defensive line,” Stoops said after one practice. “The defense, in general, is flying around. This time of year, traditionally, the defense is a little bit ahead anyway.
“But they’re playing really hard. It’s a very united group and playing very tough. I appreciate their effort for sure.”
He feels the same about the rebuilt offensive line. That was a key area for improvement this season after the problems the offense had trouble moving the ball and scoring last year.
“I love what I’m seeing from the leadership, the effort, the continuity, we have big bodies,” Stoops said. “They’re working very hard and I love the group. We’re definitely making progress.
“As long as they keep that same attitude and work ethic, we’ll be significantly improved. That’s the goal across the board. I just like where they’re at. I like the group. They take coaching and they work really hard.”
UK Football Practice
Photos by Vicky Graff
6 Responses
I’ll take my same wait and see approach. It only counts when you’re playing a different team.
YES! It is really difficult to get hyped up before any real games. I’m sorry to say that, but they are going to have to earn it this year.
Yeah! We heard how hard they were working last spring and what a great group of kids we had then….and then came the season….and the product. What a disaster. NO CHARACTER!
Remember….we are supposed to be excited because he is.
With Stoops he is terrible at encouraging kids to do better. He needs to gush about every player that is making a effort to do better. Him holding back praise might be the reason he doesn’t get the most out of his team. I know people look at losing Brown and Key as big losses but that’s not true our receivers room is much better this year than last year. Our offensive line is much better this year than last year. Our quarterback is more of a winner this year compared to last year and our backup is better being a year older. Our running back room should be better with added experience. Patterson and Wilcox were freshman last year and yes Patterson is still a freshman but he’s played against SEC competition so he knows what to expect. He’s really the most rounded running back we have. Wilcox is a burner the Nebraska transfer is a load up the middle and Patterson has a little of both. Our tight ends should be more polished this year. Our defense the secondary finally has some experience. I would take our corners over anybody else in the SEC Waller and Hardaway are going to be very good this year. Both are 6’3" and very long. Our safeties are back Lovett and Bryant which I think Bryant really takes off this year. Lovett has been starting the last couple of years so this will be his third year starting. You have to love that. Our defensive line has more bodies and I think will be much faster. Our linebackers have a mix of experience and they are also faster. Overall we should be at least a little better this year. I’m saying 6-6 is the floor and 8-4 is probably the ceiling.
One more take I bet Brown doesn’t even start for LSU at receiver. I’m almost willing to bet anybody any amount of money on that. He will run kickoffs back and I doubt he even returns punts his hands and eye to ball coordination is terrible. LSU has about 6-7 receivers that should be in front of him. Bad move on his part.